My wife, Jenny, and I live with our 4 children at our home just over a hectare of beautiful land on a hill at Old Tai Tapu Rd, near the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Our children, Rachel aged 19, Johanna 16, Jonathan 13 and Susanna aged 8 are home schooled and are very much a part of our work and ministry.
I have a degree in Natural Resource Engineering from Canterbury and Lincoln Universities and have worked since 1974 on many engineering and conservation projects throughout New Zealand, focusing on river and land restoration, and nursery establishment .
After searching many different philosophies and religions, at the age of 26, I became a believer in Jesus Christ in 1978. Other than my family, my greatest passion and joy is to worship and get to know our wonderful Lord and Saviour
In the early 1980s George Ehau and I founded the Wai-ora Trust, a local land based Christian community organization committed to help disadvantaged people from all cultures and backgrounds. The trust has become one of the main providers of social support and
work for disabled and otherwise disadvantaged people in the Christchurch area, with extensive community gardens.
This work has given me a wonderful base of multi cultural experience and opportunities to apply my training and background in new ways.
Since 2003, the Lord has called us as a family into overseas mission work, including Discipleship Training and student leadership with the University of the Nations, YWAM in Kona Hawaii, Cambodia, Indonesia, Fiji and Colombia.
We have a strong commitment to the people of Cambodia, especially in the
province of Battambang in the northwest. From a vision in 1978 of seeing Gods light and love in amazing places of beauty, healing and restoration, He is now leading me through fresh revelation
into new places to establish EarthCare, a vision to see people turning to God, worshipping Him as the Creator and sustainer of all life and seeing restoration and healing of the land.
I continue to work part time as an Ecological Engineer on river and land restoration projects, but my primary passion and vision is to see the work of Earth-Care established in many needy countries as the Lord leads us.
Do you want to manage and care for natural resources and the environment?
The EarthCare DTS introduces students to a Biblical approach to managing and caring for
natural resources and the environment. It will make this approach real to the students, by
giving them hands-on experience in working with poor villagers in a developing country to improve their agricultural practices and their lives.
The course aims to give students an opportunity todeepen their relationship with God and discover new ways to reach out with Christs compassion to those who are oppressed, poor or disabled in rural communities. EarthCare focuses on God as Creator and sustainer of the earth.
EarthCare students will develop skills in working with poor rural communities to develop ways to improve their land, gain first-hand experience of conditions in a developing country, and learn
how to share their faith in practical ways.
Students will participate in aspects of : 1. Training poor rural communitiesin simple sustainable agriculture technologies.
2. Testing, monitoring and demonstrating appropriate EarthCare practices.
3. Teaching the foundational Biblical principles of EarthCare.
4. Evangelism through word and action to bring the good news of Jesus Christ
The teaching phase will be based in Oxford, New Zealand with some weeks in other community based and wilderness areas.
Apply now to learn how to share resources and your faith with needy communities.
Earth Care DTS Outreach
The outreach phase will be in New Zealand and SE Asia from mid December 2009 until the end of February 2010.
Teams reunite in New Zealand for a debriefing time and graduation.
Outreach is a time of tremendous evangelism where we can put into practice what we’ve learned in the lecture phase.
Start date: 4th Oct 2009 finish date: 6th March 2010
Description: Crossroads Discipleship Training Schools are especially designed and staffed for those 30 yrs and older.
This is an exciting new school being pioneered in New Zealand that disciples students in a nurturing environment where hearts and minds can be transformed by experiencing the love of the Father. Globally, God is bringing a growing revelation and awareness to His church of Father’s love and enabling his children to find their true identity as His sons and daughters.
During the Lecture phase students are welcome to provide Caravans or Motorhomes(RV) for their accommodation or to choose YWAM Base accommodation. Food is included in the lecture phase fees.
There will be a two weeks break between lecture phase and outreach for students and staff to have free for Christmas and New Year.
The eight week outreach phase will be in New Zealand and China, with a possible alternative overseas location yet to be determined.
Lecture Phase with Motorhome/ RV/Caravan nz$3,500
Outreach Phase overseas(approx) nz$4,500
Please note that outreach fees are approximate and depend on flight costs.
Crossroads DTS Application Forms
Application Letter
Application Form
DTS and BLS health form
Pastor Reference Form
Friend Reference Form
Employer/Teacher Reference Form
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This is our future!
Although we do not put our trust in bricks and mortar, we are aware that without physical buildings in which to carry on our activities, the work we are called to perform would simply not happen.
We are very thankful for what we have; the land and main buildings having been donated to us in 1992. What was adequate ten and fifteen years ago, no longer is. We have wrestled with the options before us: find a second location or build where we are. The decision has been the latter. We have the space, the location here in Oxford is fantastic, our relationship with the local churches and community one of mutual support.
As of May 2008, the plans are finalised! It has been a long preparatory process of surveyors, architects, local authorities, contractor and sub-contractor quotes, trust board meetings, leadership meetings, prayer meetings, and so on! That behind us, we are ready to break ground!
The pictures here show that we are building in two phases. Phase one is our service area and includes a kitchen, dining room for 120, a classroom and a substantial office wing. Phase two is the construction of two rectangular accommodation blocks.
The buildings of both phases have been designed for practicality as well as aesthetic appeal. Our existing buildings are wooden: colonial and post colonial design, hence the new buildings reflect that same look.
Finance is our biggest hurdle at this stage. Each phase will cost approximately $NZ750,000 For both, a total of $1.5 million ($US1.2 million). We are not keen to borrow money. The business of discipleship, leadership and mission training is profitable in terms of the Kingdom, but our courses are not priced for the purpose of financial gain or profit.
We have initiated what we are calling Project 80/20/80. We are praying for 80 people (or groups) to donate $20,000 each, and so providing 80 new placements at YWAM Oxford. This doubles our current capacity!
Would you like to adopt one (or more!) of these placements? It could be an individual’s donation or a group that raises the $20,000 by way of a banquet or some other fund-raising activity.
80 new placements relates to 80 more students per quarter, resulting in 160 per year, trained up in the ways of God and sent out to be “salt” and “light” in the world. Over the 100 year life of the building, this potentially calculates as 160,000 young people, sent out in teams around the world, with the good news of Jesus Christ.
I’m sure you will agree. This is a very good investment of $1.5 million.
Future dining room, offices, and classroom Future student accommodation
Student Testimonies
Kristin
Michigan, USA
Honestly, coming into DTS I thought that the ‘missionary lifestyle’, if you will, was only something that can be seen in third world countries when you’re working with the poor, the destitute, and the dying. God showed me that He speaks to us always, that we can share Him with people in the way we live and the words we speak. I learned how to incorporate my relationship with God into my everyday life. Now I see that God can use me just as much in school or as a nurse as He can working in an orphanage in India. He’s that Big…
Jonathan
USA
I have always enjoyed the outdoors, but this DTS revealed to me how much I truly love it!
Carina
England
I have been allergic to all dairy products my entire life. God completely healed me!
Hunter
USA
This DTS has renewed my love for life and has given me understanding about our Creator that I can build on throughout this journey of faith.
Outreach Report
Katrina and Dave
New Zealand
Hello Everyone!
We just finished our second week of outreach, and it has been incredible! We are doing a backpacker’s outreach, which basically entails doing what the backpackers do, and sharing the love of Jesus with them in the meantime!
We kicked off outreach by spending New Year’s Eve in the Blue Backpackers hostel, and invited everyone in the hostel to share cheese, crackers, fruit kabobs with caramel sauce, and sparkling apple cider with us. 2 backpackers from Holland (Silvia and Preska), a couple from Germany (Anna Marie & Ricka), and a few guys from South Korea joined us for the evening. We had a lot of fun with them, and had the opportunity to share with them why we are in New Zealand traveling around, and tell them more about the school that we’re at. By the time that we left 2 days later, we all exchanged email addresses, and are planning to keep in touch!
After New Years in Kaikora, we headed up to the Nelson area, and did one of New Zealands Great Walks, the Abel Tasman. We spent 8 days hiking, first in the rain forest, and then along the coast of the top of the south island. It was absolutely beautiful, with crystal clear water and isolated beaches with seals and penguins! The first day of our trip, we met our new friends, Shela and Joe. We ended up staying at the same camp grounds with them almost every single night. Through dinner, cards, and laughing, we were able to show them the love of Jesus, which led to some cool conversations about their beliefs,and our beliefs. Shela used to go to church, but said she didn’t believe in going any more after they rejected her during her painful divorce. We invited them to join us for our team devotions and worship, and they said that they felt so at home with us, and loved seeing how much we loved each other! Keep them in your prayers, as we know that God used us to plant a seed in their hearts. We also saw our friends that we met in Kaikora again, and Dave had the opportunity to share Christ with them! We also met another couple from Germany, Steffan and Cena, along with many others that we hopefully planted seeds in!
This week, we rented a house, and our desire was to use it to bless anyone in need! We realized that a lot of backpackers, especially those traveling alone, are very lonely, running low on money, and are very open. We decided to start out our time at the house with a big barbecue, and go into town and invite as many different backpackers as we could! We had a houseful, and about 8 of them have been hanging out with us every day, and about 5 of them have been living with us, sharing our meals with us, and worshiping God with us in the mornings! Only one of them, Tim, is a Christian, and the rest of them either don’t (didn’t) believe in God, or don’t believe in one God. I get goosebumps as I think about the conversations we’ve been having with them throughout the week. One of the guys, Simon from Sweden, didn’t believe in God a couple of days ago, and after many many conversations about God, along with different things, worship sessions, and team devotions, he prayed to God for the first time in 4 years! He’s going to be spending the next 2 weeks with us as well, so be praying for his salvation! He is an amazing guy, and I want to see him again in heaven!
We also had an amazing discussion with a ton of backpackers that we invited back to dinner 2 nights ago. One of them, Mattias, asked why the Bible is split up in to the Old Testament and the New Testament, and we were able to tell them all (including and Israeli,) about how the Old Testament is based on laws, and sacrifices as means to atone for sin, and have a relationship with God, and then the New Testament is about how Jesus came and fulfilled the law, so now we can have a relationship with God through Christ! That led to many more discussions about other topics like evolution/creation, etc. Wow! it was amazing, because it didn’t turn into an argument, but instead, we all talked about some really deep stuff, and everyone was genuinely interested. God is doing some amazing things here, and the coolest part is, we’re just living life here in Nelson, loving each other, and loving others. Our hope and desire is that through this, our team will learn that life and missions aren’t two separate things, our lives should be so completely holistic with our love for God, that He just pours over into other people’s lives, and we can’t help but love the lost, feed the poor, visit those in prison, because through loving God, He gives us His heart for people, and our life isn’t complete if we aren’t loving others!
Right now, we’re praying about what God wants us to do next. We have been hearing a lot about this backpackers hostel that is in the center of Nelson that we might spend some time in. Some of the guys that we’ve met have been telling us we probably wouldn’t enjoy it because the people aren’t good people there and drink a lot…and we’ve been thinking that that’s exactly where Jesus would’ve gone if He was walking on earth now, because those are the people that need Him! Pray for wisdom for us!
Also, a few more prayer requests:
Saskia’s (one of the backpackers who’s living with us) mom has cancer in her back, and we’ve been praying for a miracle!
More boldness for our team to share Jesus’ love with people outside of our comfort zone
That God brings the people along that He wants us to meet!
That’s all for now. We love you all so much, and would love to hear back from you!
Love,
Katrina and Dave
In addition to the school fees, there is a required activity fee of nz$1200 per student. This fee covers all lift passes, 4×4 transportation to and from the mountain, organized weekend activities, plus trips into Christchurch on Friday nights. On Wednesdays, we hit the slopes at Porters, and on Saturdays we head up to Mt Hutt. If we are unable to head up the mountain, we give alternative opportunities to explore this beautiful island, including activities such as:
Rock climbing at the popular and breathtaking Castle Hill
Climbing at the Port Hills
Surfing
Hiking some challenging mountains and trails with breathtaking views, such as Mt. Oxford
Soaking in the thermal hot pools of Hanmer Springs
Before doing this school, I was looking for more out of life. My passions for travel and adventure led me to this “Around the World” DTS. I desperately wanted to know God more and knew I needed to get out of my current environment in order to do so. What better place than New Zealand! My lecture phase was a slow and steady renovation of the heart. Through the teaching and God’s guidance, my foundation was made new and SOLID. Instead of the roller coaster faith I had lived for years, I learned how to step into maturity as a follower of Christ. In outreach I was challenged in more ways that I had imagined. Being exposed to such a variety of missions in different countries opened my eyes to what the hands and feet of Jesus working in our world look like. I discovered something I had lost - compassion. When we graduated in Israel I will still processing all I had recently been through, but I knew I was changed. Long story short - this experience was so life changing that I returned to Oxford to staff the next year’s school!
Katy
England, UK
Applying to do my DTS in Oxford was one of the best decisions I have ever made! YWAM changed my life in so many different ways, and I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of the ATW80 school. I learned so much about myself over those six months, and where I can fit into the BIG picture if I allow myself. This has significantly impacted my entire outlook on day-to-day events and decisions. I am slowly learning to allow God to have more control over the decisions I make and to trust that He has a plan and I must be obedient to his calling. DTS gave me the opportunity to explore many things which I had never considered and I have met some life-long friends in the process which is a small bonus…!
Jenn
Wisconsin, USA
I’d have to say that my DTS, outreach in specific, fulfilled it’s purpose. I loved getting a full view of a specific region. For my outreach I went to the Middle East and I left my heart there. A lot of the emotions of what I saw and did have impacted me even months after. In the moment, my outreach was challenging…but worth every minute! It was truly a bit of a taste of the culture and people. The Lord has continued to use what I was exposed to to grow my heart for the region and people. My mind and heart were forever changed by the Middle East. The school’s vision is to expose those who are interested in long term missions to what workers are already doing with the hopes that they will be inspired to go back. For me it worked! The ultimate goal for me is now the Middle East.
BCC Activities
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